Ash-sifter



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. McWILLIAMS. ASH SIFTER,

N0.553,013. v Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

(No Model.)

, No Model.) r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. MQWILLIAMS.

ASH SIFTER. I No. 553,013. Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

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ROBERT MCWILLIAMS, OF COATESVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ASH-SIIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,013, dated January14, 1896. Application filed July 16, 1895. Serial No. 656,166 (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT lllClVILLL-XMS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Coatesville, in the county of Chester and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Ash-Sifter, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in devices for sifting ashesand separating therefrom the coals and cinders.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and improve theconstruction of devices of the character referred to, with a view tocheapening the cost of manufacture thereof and providing means forfacilitating the easy insertion and removal of the sifting-tray.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofoscillating frame, by means of which an increased throw is given to theash-sifting tray and said frame greatly strengthened and braced.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the subjoined description.

The invention consists in an improved ashsifter embodying certain novelfeatures and details of construction and arrangement of parts, wherebyadvantages in point of simplicity and efficiency are attained, ashereinafter fully set forth, illustrated in the drawings, and finallypointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of animproved ash-sifter constructed in accordance with this invention, witha portion of the front wall of the box or casing broken away to show theinterior construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section throughthe same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the sifter.Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the oscillating frame in whichthe ash-sifting tray is seated. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the ash trayor receptacle. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the operating-lever andthe loop shaped stop therefor.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a box or casing ofany desired size and material, the same being provided ported.

upon its front and rear sides with horizontally disposed reinforcingstrips or cleats 2, adapted to receive the bearingsin which theoscillatin g frame is journaled. Vertically-disposed cleats 3 arealsosecured to the front and rear sides of the box or casing, and at eachcorner thereof, the same abutting at their upper ends against the loweredges of the horizontal strips or cleats 2 and extending at their lowerends beneath the bottom of the box or casing 1 to form feet or legs uponwhich the same is sup- The box or casing is further provided with a topor lid 4:, hinged preferably at its rear edge and adapted to tightlyclose the top of the box for preventing the egress of dust and dirttherefrom.

5 designates a metal strap or stop, which is hinged at one end to theunder side of the lid or cover and passes at its opposite end through astaple or eyesecured to the inner surface of one end of the box, beneathwhich the same is looped or expanded, as shown. By means of this strapor stop the top or lid 4 when opened is prevented from swinging back farenough to interfere with the operating-lever of the device,hereinafterdescribed.

6 designates an open rectangular metallic frame, which is arrangedwithin the box or casing 1 and is provided upon its front and rear sideswith curved supporting arms or segments 7, either formed integrallytherewith or made separately and riveted or otherwise secured thereto.Each of said arms or segments is provided, centrally thereof, with anoutwardlyextending pivot or trunnion, and said pivots or trunnions passthrough horizontally and transversely aligning openings in the box orcasing 1 and in the horizontally-disposed strips or cleats 2, cent-rallyof the latter, as shown. Metal washers 8 are interposed between theouter faces of the arms or segments '7 and the inner adjacent faces ofthe front and rear sides of the box or casing, said washers fittingsnugly around the pivots or trunnions referred to and being made of athickness which will adapt them to fill the spaces between said arms orsegments and the box sides, thus serving to form a tight joint andprevent the escape of dust through the holes which receive the pivots ortrunnions of the oscillating frame.

9 designates a pair of bearing-plates, which are preferably secured tothe outer faces of the strips or cleats 2 referred to, and receive andform bearings for the trunnions of the oscillating frame. One of thetrunnions, preferably that one at the rear side of the box or casing, isextended sufficiently to receive an operating-lever 10 by means of whichsaid frame may be operated, and the movements of said lever and theoscillating frame are limited by a stop in the form of aloop 11, securedto the horizontal strip or cleat 2 upon the rear side of the box orcasing. The operating-lever strikes against the end portions of thisloop-shaped stop and prevents the oscillating frame from strikingagainst the lid or the ends of the box, in a manner that will be readilyunderstood.

The ash tray or sieve 12 corresponds in shape and measurements to theinside configuration of the frame 0, being in open rectangular form andof any desired depth and having its bottom edges slightly rounded andcovered by perforate sheet metal or wire-netting which extends entirelyover the open bottom of said ash-tray and is secured in place by meansof metal strips tacked to the lower edges of the frame 12 or in anyother convenient manner. The sieve thus formed is provided adjacent toeach of its corners with angle-irons or clips 13, havinghorizontally-disposed lips which are adapted to rest upon the upper edgeof the frame (3 when said sieve is in position therein. Said sieve isfurther provided with a pair of balls or handles 14, located one at eachend thereof, thus providing for the easy insertion and removal of saidsieve into and from the oseillatin g frame by which it is adapted to beagitated.

A removable drawer 15 is provided which is introduced through an openingin one end of the box or casing adjacent to the base thereof, saiddrawer being of a size adapting it to fit snugly within the box andprovided with a headboard, the edges of which extend beyond or overlapthe sides, top, and bottom of the drawer and bear against the outersurface of that side of the box or easingthrough which the drawerslides, for preventing the escape of dust.

16 designates inclined guards or deflectors which are disposed aroundthe interior surface of the casing just above and in close.

proximity to the upper edges of the sides and ends of the drawer. Theseguards serve to deflect the ashes, &c., and direct the same into thedrawer, thus preventing the same from clogging around the sides of thedrawer and" interfering with the removal and introduction thereof.

By means of the construction above described it will be seen that theash tray or sieve may be readily removed and replaced within theoscillating frame.

It will also be apparent that by reason of the particular constructionof the oscillating frame and its curved arms or segments, a considerablethrow is given to the bottom of the sieve by a comparatively shortstroke of the operating-lever. By means of the washers interposedbetween the curved arms or segments of the oscillating frame and theadjacent inner surfaces of the box or casing the escape of dust whilethe device is in operation is effectually prevented.

It will be apparent that changes in the form. proportion, and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an ash sifter, the combination with a suitable box or casing, ofan internally arranged oscillating frame made in open and unobstructedrectangular form and provided at its upper portion with laterallyprojecting pivots or trunnions mounted in bearings in said box oreasing, a rectangular ash tray or sieve removably fitted in and embracedby said frame, and partaking of the motion of said frame and anoperating lever rigidly secured to one of said trunnions exteriorly ofthe box or easing, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an ash sifter, the combination with a suitable inelosing box orcasing, of an interiorly arranged oscillating frame made in openrectangular form and provided with upwardly extending curved arms orsegments having laterally projecting pivots or trunnions j ournaled inthe walls of said box or casing, a removable ash tray or sieve adapt-edto be placed within said oscillating frame and provided with angle ironsor clips for supporting the same relatively thereto, and means foroperating said oscillating frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT MCXVILLIAMS.

Witnesses HUGH KENWORTHY, LONDON RICHARDS.

